Recycled Sculpture Immersion with Michael Harada

Recycled Sculpture Immersion with Michael Harada

Workshop | Available

All Levels
3/30/2026-4/3/2026
10:00 AM-4:00 PM EST on Mon Tue Wed Th Fri
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$555.00

Recycled Sculpture Immersion with Michael Harada

Workshop | Available

Recycled Sculpture Immersion with Michael Harada

All Levels

Instructor: Michael Harada

10am - 4pm daily, March 30th - April 3rd (Monday - Friday)

5 days, In-person / Room 2A

$555


We're honored to welcome back Michael Harada! Coming all the way from Hawaii, Professor Harada brings with him the unique expertise of a theatre prop maker, Japanese mask carver, and master draftsman in drawing, painting and printmaking. This 5-day, 6-hr per day marathon will start with hands-on prop-building from cardboard. Over the first few days, students will learn the mechanics of how to build three-dimensional creatures that are life-size, which will in turn be installed around the studio and suspended from the ceiling. These builds will act as a room-sized installation, which doubles as a still life from which students will draw. This intensive and immersive workshop will also include lectures by Michael on various topics ranging from Asian/Hawaiian art history to contemporary practices. This workshop will include an hour break for lunch and will meet from Monday, March 30th to Friday, April 3rd.


Due to the size of the builds for this workshop, this class will be limited to 8 participants, so don’t miss the opportunity to register for this workshop. 








  • About: Michael Harada was born and raised in Hawai‘i. He graduated from the University of Hawai‘i with a Bachelor and Master of Fine Arts degrees. His background encompasses drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, illustration, digital media, set design, prop, mask, puppet design and construction. He has shown his work in many exhibitions since the mid-1970s and is included in many collections.

    In the early 1990s he started collaborating with Monkey Waterfall, a Honolulu-based performance group that uses masks and puppets. That began his journey into the world of theatre designing and constructing masks, puppets, props and sets for Honolulu Theatre for Youth, Kumu Kahua Theatre, Manoa Valley Theatre and Leeward Community College’s Theatre department, where he taught visual arts, eventually becoming the visual arts discipline coordinator till he retired in 2022. Michael continues to produce artwork and design and construct masks, props and sets.



    Note from the Artistic Director: I have had the privilege of working alongside Michael Harada at Leeward Community College for a period of 7 years. Every day was a learning experience in the best way possible. “Mikey” is a wealth of knowledge on all things art. We would have epic conversations and only later notice that we have a crowd of student spectators listening in. I couldn’t wait to share his knowledge with the students at the Washington Studio School. If you are able to take this workshop, don’t waste this opportunity. You will learn so much, as I have during my time with Mike. 

  • Materials List - These are the materials you will need for this class.

    Students should expect to bring a significant amount of cardboard for this class as well as drawing supplies.


    CARDBOARD & SCULPTURE SUPPLIES

    (recommended, WSS will provide Hot glue guns for shared use but you are welcome to bring your own) 
    • Hot glue gun – standard size: ½ inch (11-12 mm), Corded or cordless

    (recommended, WSS will provide Hot glue sticks for shared use but you are welcome to bring your own to fit your own glue gun) 

    • Hot glue sticks – standard size: ½ inch diameter (11-12 mm), 10 inches long, clear

    • Utility knife and replacement blades, or equivalent.
    • X-ACTO knife (no. 11 blade) or equivalent
    • Utility scissors
    • 18” metal ruler or straight edge
    • Triangle or square (90º)
    • Compass – inexpensive type
    • Roller screen spline tool, bookbinding bone folder or an old butter knife (what I use)

     

    DRAWING SUPPLIES

    • Paper –  Strathmore 400 series Drawing Roll 42" x 10 yd, 100 lb. (163 g/m) or equivalent.

    Drawing media:

    • Charcoal – Vine/willow: medium to soft
    • Compressed stick: medium to soft
    • Graphite –  Pencils, sticks: HB – 6B
    • Water soluble graphite

    Erasers – 

    • White vinyl eraser
    •  Artist kneaded eraser

     Ink –

    • India Ink or equivalent
    • Dip pens: variety of different types
    • Brushes: variety of different types